James Eze, the acclaimed Nigerian poet, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Nigerian Prize for Literature, a prestigious award that recognizes excellence in Nigerian literary works. The announcement of the shortlist, which includes his poetry collection Unbind Me Now, has sparked widespread discussion about the evolving landscape of Nigerian poetry and its role in addressing societal challenges. Eze, who was previously longlisted for his 2022 collection Dispossessed, described the recognition as a moment of profound validation, stating, "It feels like winning already."
The Nigerian Prize for Literature, sponsored by the Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG), is Africa’s richest literary award, offering a $100,000 prize to the winning author. This year’s shortlist, which features three poetry collections, was selected from 223 submissions, underscoring the fierce competition. Eze’s work stood out for its "fluid and aesthetically captivating language" and its "movement from dysfunction toward redemption," according to the judges. The poet emphasized that the recognition reflects not just his personal journey but also the collective voice of a nation grappling with political, social, and ecological crises.
Eze’s Unbind Me Now, completed in December 2025, is a poetic exploration of Nigeria’s struggles, blending themes of hope, resilience, and societal transformation. The title, he explained, is a "wake-up call" for a "long-suppressed people," urging immediate relief from systemic oppression. The collection’s conceptual framework positions the poet as a "conscience, burden-bearer, and truth-speaker," a role he first foreshadowed in Dispossessed. The work’s incendiary language and metaphors of fire—both literal and figurative—reflect the nation’s "pent-up emotion" and "country’s temperature," as Eze described it.
The shortlist also includes works by Ogaga Ifowodo and Tares Oburumu, two prominent Nigerian poets whose styles contrast with Eze’s. Despite these differences, Eze sees the selection as a testament to the diversity and growth of Nigerian poetry. "Great poetry should address the dominant anxieties of its society," he said, noting that all three poets approached global issues through a Nigerian lens. The judges’ emphasis on the "watermark" of hope in Unbind Me Now resonated with Eze, who deliberately wove optimism into the poems to counterbalance the collection’s darker themes.
Eze’s journey as a poet began in the 1990s, influenced by literary giants like Gabriel Okara and Christopher Okigbo. He credited Okigbo’s "genius" for shaping his creative philosophy, while acknowledging that Okara’s work had "drifted" from his own. Eze’s engagement with Okigbo’s poetry deepened after a mentorship with Ben Obumselu, who helped him decode the poet’s "recondite" works. This intellectual lineage is evident in Unbind Me Now, which balances incantatory language with accessible storytelling, a style Eze attributes to his background as a journalist, songwriter, and speechwriter.
The poet’s decision to release Unbind Me Now quietly on Good Friday, rather than through a traditional launch, was deliberate. "Loud celebration did not fit," he explained, citing the book’s heavy thematic concerns. The release date, however, was initially scheduled for Good Friday but moved earlier to meet a deadline. An introductory review had already announced the date, a move Eze described as "a necessary compromise."
Eze’s work has also been shaped by his experiences in journalism and public service. As a features writer at ThisDay, a pioneer literary editor of Sunday Sun, and a corporate communicator, he honed his ability to distill complex ideas into compelling narratives. His role as a governor’s spokesman further instilled in him a sense of the "weight" of words, a lesson he carries into his poetry. "Poetry needs all of these, in different degrees," he said, reflecting on how his varied career informed his artistic voice.
The poet’s commitment to social justice is evident in Unbind Me Now, which addresses issues such as political betrayal, racial injustice, and ecological collapse. Eze’s engagement with these themes is not merely metaphorical; he sees them as interconnected crises that demand collective action. "A forest fire does not pick its victims," he noted, drawing a parallel between Nigeria’s struggles and global challenges. His work also grapples with the legacy of the Biafran War, a topic he described as "a wound that must not be erased."
Eze’s shortlisting has been celebrated by academic and literary circles, including a recent honor from the English Department of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), which named him "The People’s Poet." The recognition, he said, was "a huge honor," though he emphasized that the title carries a "challenge" to "carry that name with dignity." The poet’s influence extends beyond his writing; he co-founded the Return 2 Idoto poetry festival in 2015, an event that has become a cornerstone of literary engagement in the South-East.
Despite the acclaim, Eze remains focused on the "unwavering" message of his work. He described Unbind Me Now as a "watershed" that speaks to the "dominant issues of Nigeria in my time." The book’s impact, he believes, will be measured by its ability to provoke dialogue and inspire action. "The poet of Unbind Me Now is a witness to a traumatic period, not a propagandist," he asserted, distinguishing his work from political messaging. His poetry, he argued, is rooted in the "human condition," a perspective he developed through years of observing societal struggles.
Eze’s creative process is deeply introspective, often drawing from personal and collective experiences. He described the metaphor of fire as central to Unbind Me Now, noting that it emerged during the conceptual phase of the work. "Fire is the superstructure," he said, explaining that it represents both the "physical" destruction of churches and sacred objects and the "figurative" tension of a nation in crisis. Despite the intensity of this imagery, Eze emphasized that the quieter poems in the collection were not overshadowed, as the "durable stem" of his language could "bear extra load."
The poet’s reflections on the role of literature in Nigeria highlight its cultural and political significance. He criticized the notion that Nigerians do not read, citing the "high esteem" in which he is held by friends and family. "Literature travels far here," he said, pointing to the success of events like Udala Nation, which transforms poems into songs. Eze also emphasized the importance of public literary events in sustaining interest in poetry, noting that such gatherings "return attention to the book" and foster a sense of community.
As the 2026 Nigerian Prize for Literature approaches, Eze remains focused on the broader implications of his work. He sees the shortlisting as an opportunity to amplify the voices of those "who have been silenced" and to challenge the "acquiescing majority" that he believes perpetuates systemic issues. "Democracy abhors silence," he said, advocating for a culture that embraces robust debate. Whether or not he wins the prize, Eze is committed to using his platform to advocate for a "better Nigeria," a mission he described as both a personal and collective responsibility.
Eze’s journey as a poet is marked by a commitment to truth and resilience. His work, he said, is a testament to the "unexpected places" where hope persists, from the woman walking her daughter through flooded streets to the farmer who continues to till the land despite adversity. "We are stronger than the tragedies inflicted on us," he declared, underscoring the enduring spirit of a nation in flux. As the literary world awaits the final decision, Eze’s Unbind Me Now stands as a powerful reminder of the role of poetry in confronting the challenges of the present and envisioning a more just future.
The poet’s reflections on the role of literature in Nigeria highlight its cultural and political significance. He criticized the notion that Nigerians do not read, citing the "high esteem" in which he is held by friends and family. "Literature travels far here," he said, pointing to the success of events like Udala Nation, which transforms poems into songs. Eze also emphasized the importance of public literary events in sustaining interest in poetry, noting that such gatherings "return attention to the book" and foster a sense of community.
Eze’s journey as a poet is marked by a commitment to truth and resilience. His work, he said, is a testament to the "unexpected places" where hope persists, from the woman walking her daughter through flooded streets to the farmer who continues to till the land despite adversity. "We are stronger than the tragedies inflicted on us," he declared, underscoring the enduring spirit of a nation in flux. As the literary world awaits the final decision, Eze’s Unbind Me Now stands as a powerful reminder of the role of poetry in confronting the challenges of the present and envisioning a more just future.
The poet’s reflections on the role of literature in Nigeria highlight its cultural and political significance. He criticized the notion that Nigerians do not read, citing the "high esteem" in which he is held by friends and family. "Literature travels far here," he said, pointing to the success of events like Udala Nation, which transforms poems into songs. Eze also emphasized the importance of public literary events in sustaining interest in poetry, noting that such gatherings "return attention to the book" and foster a sense of community.
Eze’s journey as a poet is marked by a commitment to truth and resilience. His work, he said, is a testament to the "unexpected places" where hope persists, from the woman walking her daughter through flooded streets to the farmer who continues to till the land despite adversity. "We are stronger than the tragedies inflicted on us," he declared, underscoring the enduring spirit of a nation in flux. As the literary world awaits the final decision, Eze’s Unbind Me Now stands as a powerful reminder of the role of poetry in confronting the challenges of the present and envisioning a more just future.